"Light" inspection scheme proposed

Companies with a good health and safety record should face fewer inspections than those with a history of flouting the law, a government review has recommended.

The Treasury-commissioned Hampton review, part of Gordon Brown's pre-Budget report in November, said: "Inspection should be directed at the riskiest premises, and there should not be an assumption that all, or even most, businesses need a regular inspection visit."

The report and consultation document are available at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/935/64/Hampton_ Interim_Report_709.pdf